The passing of Dave Prowse already has Star Wars fans mourning for the Darth Vader actor. Now, George Lucas has issued a statement about Prowse and it's truly a touching tribute.
Lucas shared his sentiments on Prowse's passing with StarWars.com.
"David brought a physicality to Darth Vader that was essential for the character," Lucas said. "He made Vader leap off the page and on to the big screen, with an imposing stature and movement performance to match the intensity and undercurrent of Vader's presence. David was up for anything and contributed to the success of what would become a memorable, tragic figure. May he rest in peace."
Prowse was born in Bristol in 1935 and he began bodybuilding at a young age. This led to him winning the British heavyweight weightlifting championship for three straight years starting from 1962. Prowse decided to take on an acting career, appearing in A Clockwork Orange in 1971 and The Tomorrow People in 1973. Interestingly, Prowse was considered for the role of Chewbacca in A New Hope but ultimately chose to play Vader instead.
But why choose to be a terrifying Sith Lord instead of a lovable character? Prowse explained to NPR that it was all about impact.
"Well, if you think back on all the movies that you've ever seen where there are goodies and baddies…you always remember the baddie," he said.
Prowse passed away at the age of 85. The cause of death has not yet been revealed. Stay tuned for more updates on this story.
Related: Star Wars Darth Vader Actor Dave Prowse Passes Away at Age 85
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